Larry Lee Kocour was born on July 28, 1943, in Missouri Valley, to Frank and Christena (Reker) Kocour. He grew up in Missouri Valley where he graduated in 1961. Larry drove a school bus for a while and farmed row crops while raising cattle and hogs. He was united in marriage to Patricia Erixon on May 22, 1971, and they were blessed with two children, Jennifer and David. Larry started part time with the United State Post Office in 1972, as a sub carrier and 13 years later delivered that same route as a full-time carrier. He retired from the post office on Dec. 1, 2002. Larry was a long-time member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Missouri Valley.
Larry found joy in tending to his large garden. He embraced life on the golf course, enjoyed teaching his nephews the art of hunting, and reveled in the simplicity of fishing. Larry and Pat enjoyed playing cards with friends. Although he didn’t like the water, he could often be found driving the boat on sunny afternoons so others could ski or tube, snow skiing in the winter, or bird watching in his downtime. Larry enjoyed helping anywhere he could. Quite often he could be found at church where he was helping fry fish, cleaning up tables, or helping with dishes. Above all, Larry treasured his family. His unique sense of humor and playful teasing were a hallmark of his interactions, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which always left a smile on their faces. Many evenings were spent in a school gymnasium or on a ballfield cheering for his favorite people.
Larry died on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Ovation Heartwood Preserve Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., at the age of 82 years, 11 months, and five days.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Shirley Behm and Burdell Stirtz; and brothers, Donald Kocour and Kenneth Kocour. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pat Kocour of Missouri Valley; daughter, Jennifer Kocour and her partner Josh Phelps of Ogden, Utah; son, David Kocour and his wife Vicki of Missouri Valley; grandchildren, Bailey (Cameron) Goodell, Tierney Robinson (Konor Kutz), Morgan (Connor) Kelley, Isabelle Robinson (Matt Wilson), Hayden Kocour (Marissa Birke), Daylen Kocour, Ian Kocour, and Adalynn Kocour; great-grandchildren, Gaberial Gross, Jayce Goodell, Elena Cipolla, and one on the way; sisters-in-law, Mary Kocour of Dakota Dunes, S.D. and Sara Kocour of Missouri Valley; many nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Missouri Valley. A visitation will be on Thursday July 16th from 5-7 p.m. also at the church.
Services entrusted to Fouts Funeral Home. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
